ConexED is a popular platform for student support, virtual advising, scheduling, chat, and online lobbies. But it is not the only tool in the backpack. Some schools need deeper analytics. Others want a lighter tool. Some just want fewer clicks and happier advisors.
TLDR: If ConexED feels too big, too small, or not quite right, there are great alternatives. Tools like EAB Navigate360, Salesforce Education Cloud, and Penji can help schools manage advising, appointments, and student success. For example, if a college has 2,000 students booking two advising sessions per term, reducing no-shows from 20% to 12% can free up about 320 appointment slots. That is a lot of saved time, and a lot of students helped.
What to Look For in a ConexED Alternative
Before picking a new platform, make a simple checklist. Do not chase shiny buttons. Chase better student outcomes.
- Easy scheduling: Students should book help without a treasure map.
- Virtual advising: Video, chat, and messaging should feel smooth.
- Case notes: Advisors need a shared history of support.
- Early alerts: Staff should spot risk before students disappear.
- Reports: Leaders need numbers they can understand.
- Integrations: It should work with SIS, LMS, email, and calendars.
1. EAB Navigate360
EAB Navigate360 is one of the biggest names in student success. It is built for advising, retention, care teams, campaigns, and analytics.
It helps schools guide students from enrollment to graduation. Advisors can see risk scores, notes, appointment history, and recommended actions. Students can schedule appointments, get reminders, and follow tasks.
Best for: Colleges that want a strong, data-driven advising system.
Fun way to think about it: It is like a GPS for student success. It says, “Turn left at math tutoring. Then continue straight to graduation.”
2. Starfish by EAB
Starfish is another well-known student success platform. It focuses on early alerts, advising notes, referrals, and student support networks.
Faculty can raise flags when students miss class, fall behind, or need help. Advisors can follow up fast. Students can see their support team and make appointments.
Best for: Schools that want early alerts and coordinated care.
Why it stands out: Starfish makes communication simple. It helps everyone stop saying, “I thought someone else emailed the student.”
3. Salesforce Education Cloud
Salesforce Education Cloud is powerful. Very powerful. It gives schools a full CRM for students, alumni, admissions, advising, and support.
It can track student relationships from first interest to graduation and beyond. It also works well with automations, dashboards, messaging, and custom workflows.
Best for: Larger schools that want a flexible, campus-wide system.
Watch out: Salesforce can need setup time. It is not always plug and play. But with the right team, it can do a lot.
4. Watermark Student Success and Engagement
Watermark Student Success and Engagement, formerly tied to Aviso Retention, is built to help schools improve retention and completion.
It includes advising tools, risk prediction, notes, alerts, and student engagement features. It is especially useful for institutions that want to see patterns in student behavior.
Best for: Schools that want retention analytics with advising workflows.
Simple example: If many students in Biology 101 are struggling by week four, the system can help staff notice the trend and act sooner.
5. Ellucian CRM Advise
Ellucian CRM Advise is a natural choice for schools already using Ellucian products, such as Banner or Colleague.
It supports advising, student profiles, appointments, communication, and case management. Since many colleges already live inside the Ellucian world, this can make data movement easier.
Best for: Ellucian schools that want advising tools connected to existing systems.
Why schools like it: Less jumping between platforms. Fewer browser tabs. Fewer advisors whispering, “Where did I put that note?”
6. Civitas Learning
Civitas Learning focuses strongly on analytics and student outcomes. It helps institutions understand which students need help, which actions work, and where support should go next.
It is less about being a simple video advising tool and more about using data to make smarter student success choices.
Best for: Schools that want predictive analytics and retention strategy.
Good fit if: Your team asks questions like, “Which students are most likely to stop out?” or “Which support programs actually move the needle?”
7. Penji
Penji is friendly, modern, and student-centered. It is often used for tutoring, coaching, advising, mentoring, and peer support.
Students can book sessions, join groups, and connect with support staff. The platform feels simple, which matters. If students do not understand the tool, they will not use it.
Best for: Schools that want easy scheduling for tutoring, coaching, and advising.
Why it is fun: Penji feels less like a government form and more like booking a study buddy. That is a win.
8. Upswing
Upswing supports online tutoring, student engagement, advising, and retention. It is especially popular with schools that serve online learners, adult students, and busy commuters.
Students can get help outside normal office hours. Advisors and tutors can connect with learners who may never walk into a campus office.
Best for: Institutions with online, hybrid, or nontraditional students.
Big benefit: It helps support feel available. Not hidden behind a door that closes at 5 p.m.
Quick Comparison
- Best for deep advising: EAB Navigate360
- Best for early alerts: Starfish
- Best for custom workflows: Salesforce Education Cloud
- Best for retention analytics: Watermark or Civitas Learning
- Best for Ellucian schools: Ellucian CRM Advise
- Best for simple tutoring and advising: Penji
- Best for online student support: Upswing
How to Choose Without Losing Your Mind
Start with your biggest pain point. Is it no-shows? Poor communication? Weak reporting? Too many tools? Confused students?
Then ask each vendor simple questions:
- Can students book an appointment in under two minutes?
- Can advisors see notes, alerts, and history in one place?
- Does it send reminders by text or email?
- Can it connect with our SIS and calendar?
- Can we measure retention, attendance, and outcomes?
- Will staff actually enjoy using it?
That last question matters. A lot. If the platform makes advisors groan, adoption will sink fast.
Final Thoughts
ConexED can be a strong choice for virtual student services. But it is not the only choice. The right alternative depends on your school size, budget, systems, and goals.
If you want rich advising and analytics, look at EAB Navigate360, Watermark, or Civitas Learning. If you need a flexible CRM, consider Salesforce Education Cloud. If you want simple support scheduling, check out Penji or Upswing.
The best tool is the one students will use and staff will trust. Keep it simple. Keep it helpful. And remember: student success should feel less like a maze and more like a friendly map.
